Farmers from Maui, Kaua'i and the Big Island will tour NCL America's Pride of Aloha next week as part of a federally-funded pilot project with the Hawai'i Farm Bureau Federation to explore possible business opportunities between the cruise lines and Hawai'i's agriculture industry.

Touring farmers will learn about opportunities for Ha-wai'i food and beverage products in the cruise industry as well as requirements for doing business with cruise ships, such as purchasing guidelines, and food safety and packaging, said farm bureau executive director Alan Takemoto.

GM CAR SALES SURGE IN RUSSIA

MOSCOW — General Motors Corp. expects to sell 175,000 cars in Russia in 2007 — 75 percent more than its initial sales forecast for 2006 — a company spokesman said yesterday, as Russia's oil-driven economic growth fuels demand for cars.

GM sold 76,578 vehicles in Russia last year and had already racked up 52,699 sales in the first six months of this year, the company said on its Web site.